A new mental health and wellbeing hub has opened in south Oxfordshire.
The NHS Keystone hub is located close to Sainsbury’s on Limborough Street in Wantage and will serve the people of Wantage, Didcot and Faringdon.
It was opened by Leith Greig-Connor who represented all the members of the public who have been involved in co-creating the hubs.
She was joined by Wantage Mayor Dr Angela Dunford and trust chair David Walker.
Wantage clinical lead Karlie Spice said: “We are so pleased to open our doors to the local community and excited to share what support we can offer.
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“The Keystone hubs are all about bringing mental health support and awareness to the heart of communities, quick access to help when and where people need it the most.
“I’m really looking forward to people popping in and being able to help people when they really need it.”
Ms Greig-Connor is part of the Our Voice group, a patient experience group made up of people who use or have used Oxford Health mental health services.
The group has been integral in the development of the Keystone hubs since the project’s inception more than three years ago.
“I feel very proud to be opening the Wantage hub on behalf of all the Experts by Experience involved with developing the Keystone hubs,” said Ms Greig-Connor.
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“As Our Voice members, we hope the hubs will promote the accessibility of mental health care.
“I love seeing hubs on the high street because it shows that looking after your mental health is nothing to hide or feel ashamed of.
“Everyone’s mental health matters and getting the help we need is so important.”
Together with mental health professionals, Our Voice identified the challenges people used to experience moving between GP and secondary mental health services.
People said they wanted dynamic and responsive easy-to-access support when they felt their mental health was taking a downturn.
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This as well as wrap-around support with all the areas of their life affected by or which affects their mental health was where the idea for the Keystone hubs was born.
Adults experiencing mental health challenges can draw on support from the Keystone hub thanks to NHS mental health professionals, Peers Support workers and third-sector mental health services.
Alongside mental health care, there is also support with leisure and socialising, accommodation, finances, employment, training and education.
Some Our Voice members have moved onto permanent paid roles as Peer Support Workers in the hub and will be on hand to welcome people going through similar experiences as their own.
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The new hub is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
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